Single Publication

River Complex Fire Update
Saturday, August 21, 2021

Etna, Calif, — An in-person community meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 21st at 6:30pm, at the IOOF Hall located at 11 Scott Rd in Trinity Center. The meeting will be recorded and posted afterward to the Klamath National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/KlamathNF/.

New Evacuation WARNING: Per the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office and the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services (530-623-1116), the following areas are now under an Evacuation WARNING: the Coffee Creek and Trinity Center communities. All residences and areas west of SR 3 from Long Canyon to Rams Horn Road. This includes all areas of Trinity Center proper, north along SR 3 thru Coffee Creek proper.  This is a Fire Evacuation WARNING only and SR 3 will remain open at this time. 

Fire behavior was moderate overnight with creeping, backing, and occasional uphill runs.  Firefighters will continue to implement structure defense plans throughout the day in fire threatened areas.

Weather:  A weak weather system will push through the area early Saturday, with cooler temperatures and drier air. Winds will be out of the west-northwest, and lighter than previous days. Smoke from the McCash Fire will drift over the River Complex, mixing with local fire smoke likely moderating fire weather potential. Smoke cover will enable slightly higher humidity and weaker winds. In areas that see more clearing, elevated fire weather potential does exist, although lighter winds will limit the overall fire activity.

Today:  

• Monitor and implement structure defense plans in communities threatened by the fire.
• Continue mop up and patrol of existing control lines, monitor for spot fires and slop-overs on all River Complex fires.
• Construct and improve fire lines in all divisions where conditions allow, and personnel and equipment are available.
• Conduct firing operations where feasible to strengthen containment lines and remove available fuels for the fire to consume.
• Continue direct and indirect line construction and firing operations on the north side of the Summer and the south side of the Haypress to keep the fire from progressing towards communities.
• All fires within the River Complex are being managed under a full suppression tactics plan.

Haypress:  The Haypress fire remains active along the northern flank as it backs down from Fish Lake towards the Cecilville/Callahan Road in the area of Dark Gulch. Active fire behavior along the Upper Coffee Creek Road in the area of Three Sisters Gulch will remain today. The extreme run that the fire made to the south two-days ago ignited a spot fire several miles to the southeast near Sandy Gulch. This spot fire will back down to Parkers Creek to the north and Parker Meadow to the south. 

Summer Fire: The southern flank of the Summer Fire has burned into areas of rocky, sparse fuels. Fire growth will be on the western perimeter, as the fire backs down towards Claire Creek. The Summer and Haypress fires have not merged but continue to burn towards each other near the community of Summerville. 

     Cronan Fire:  Fire will continue to progress to the west while crews conduct firing operations along Yellow Jacket Ridge. Firing operations will reduce the chances of high intensity fire making an uphill run and spotting over existing and planned control lines. Steep slopes continue to pose problems with rolling material. Crews contained a small spot fire yesterday which ignited below the Sawyer's Bar Rd. 

Fire Statistics: Total complex 83,124 acres (2,724 acres growth) 10% Containment

Evacuations: 

Evacuation Order: Cecilville, Summerville, Petersburg, and Coffee Creek Road past Sugar Pine Trailhead in Trinity County.

Evacuation Warning: Sawyers Bar

An evacuation order means there is immediate threat to life and is a lawful order to leave immediately.  The area is closed to public access. An evacuation warning means there is a potential threat to life and/or property.  Those who require additional time to evacuate, and those with pets and livestock should leave now.

Road Closures: Trinity County has issued a hard closure of Coffee Creek Road at North Fork Trailhead west of Hwy 3. The Callahan-Cecilville Road is closed from approximately one mile west of the community of Callahan to Cecilville.  The Sawyers Bar Road is closed from Forks of Salmon to Forest Road 40N51. 

Forest Closures:  The Shasta-Trinity, Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests have issued an order closing the Trinity Alps Wilderness through November 15, 2021.  Trails and recreational areas are all closed. The Klamath and Six Rivers National Forests have closed the Marble Mountain and Russian Wildernesses and the forest within the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District.  All roads, trails and recreation areas are closed to the public through September 15, 2021.  For information on Northern CA Forest Closures, visit: https://go.usa.gov/xF7EM

Resources:

• 671 Personnel
• 15 Crews
• 9 Helicopters
• 37 Engines
• 7 Dozers14 Water Tenders
• 2 Masticators

Smoke Report:  https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/NorthernCalifornia